Credit crunch means business boom for cobbler

WHILE families tighten their belts and businesses look to make cutbacks, the credit crunch has only brought good news for one traditional trade.

Business over the last year has been booming for cobbler John Smith, as customers flock to his shops to make their old shoes last longer.

He has opened two new branches of Cobblers & Keys in the last 12 months. The 38-year-old bought his first shop in Roundwell Street, Tunstall, in 2000. He says he had no plans for expansion until experiencing a sudden surge in trade just over a year ago, when the credit crunch began to take effect.

He opened a shop in Merrial Street, Newcastle, a year ago, and a third in Town Road, Hanley, in June.

Mr Smith, who is married with three young children, has taken on two staff to run two of the shops, and is currently looking for a third shop manager for the Newcastle branch.

He says he began to consider expanding when trade at the Tunstall shop increased by about 30 per cent.

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In the last six months trade at the Newcastle branch has risen by about 25 per cent.

Mr Smith said: "People are going back to traditional ways. They're not treating themselves to luxuries and are making do with what they have.

"Previously people were not using cobblers and many customers who came in to get a key cut were surprised the service was available.

"Now people are coming in with all types of shoes, cheaper ones and more expensive, and sometimes two or three pairs at a time.

"I'm seeing now a lot of people who have never had their shoes repaired before.

"I'm now completing about 200 jobs a week at the Newcastle shop, which I run myself, and I'm coming in earlier and staying later to get it all done. If this continues I will be looking at opening another shop soon.

"I didn't plan this. For seven years I just had the one shop, but I'm one of the lucky ones to be able to flourish during the credit crunch.

"I realise the economy will turn again and be on the up, but I think that once people have started getting their shoes repaired they will keep coming back."

Customer Brenda Ford, who is retired, of Whitmore, said: "I have always had my footwear repaired.

"I don't know how people can afford to keep buying new ones.

"When they are repaired they come back as good as new. I hope a good thing to come out of the credit crunch will be that people will be less wasteful."

Bryan Carnes, of North Staffordshire Chamber Of Commerce And Industry, said: "Businesses have got to look at different products, markets and ways of operating.

"Some, like the cobbler, can take advantage of the changing marketplace. Takeaways are also doing well as people use them as a cheaper alternative to going to restaurants.

"People will change their habits if they are concerned about savings or job security, but there are opportunities for businesses and they must stick it out and adapt."

Marie Smith, aged 31, who lives near Chesterton, visited the Newcastle shop to get new grips fitted to a pair of old cowboy boots.

She said: "I've never gone to a cobbler's before. But nowadays, with not having as much money at the end of the month, I've got to be careful about spending money.

"I got the boots out of the loft and they looked OK, but they were getting a bit thin. I wanted to make do with them. It has cost me £6.50 rather than the price of a new pair of boots."

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